Higher risk of death linked to learning disabilities
SCOTS children with learning disabilities are 12 times more likely to die of preventable illnesses.
Common causes of death include respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and treatable conditions such as epilepsy.
The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory said its research highlights an urgent need for action to reduce unnecessary
BY VIVIENNE AITKEN deaths. Professor Craig Melville, director of the observatory, said: “These findings demonstrate that steps must be taken immediately to prevent unnecessary deaths of children and adults with learning disabilities.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We want everyone in Scotland with a learning disability to live healthier lives, enjoy choice and control over the services they use, and be supported to be independent and active citizens.
“This study, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government, will be vital in helping better shape the health and care services provided to people with learning disabilities.”
IAN Fleming’s first book, 1953’s Casino Royale, was inspired by his own nights gambling in a casino in Estoril, Portugal, according to Mark.
In May 1941, Fleming and his boss John Godfrey flew to Lisbon, to take a Clipper plane on to New York, where they would meet US intelligence services.
During the two-day stop-over they stayed at the Hotel Palacio in nearby Estoril, right. The hotel would be used, 27 years later, in the Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
On the second night, they went to the Estoril Casino, which still stands today,
IN THE second Bond film in 1963, based on Fleming’s 1947 novel, Sean Connery’s Bond heads to Istanbul carrying a attache case, right, given to him by Q. It contained gadgets including a tear gas bomb and Wilkinson throwing knife.
In the book he was also given a cyanide death pill, which he immediately washed down the lavatory.
The inventory was very similar to the items Fleming took with him on a trip to Spain, Portugal and Tangiers in February 1941, which was the closest the author got to being a British spy himself.
Mark said: “I think he really wanted to be a spy, so this mission to review Operation Goldeneye was his chance to play at being one.
“He went in civilian clothes, and took with him a pen that could be fitted with a cyanide or tear gas cartridge. He also
IT IS one of the most breathtaking Bond scenes, when 007 skis away from an advancing avalanche, set off by arch enemy Blofeld, while being chased by SPECTRE operatives, in the Swiss Alps.
Bond is buried by the snow but manages to escape.
Fleming wrote in his 1963 novel, turned into a film in 1969 with Bond played by George Lazenby: “The ground shook violently under Bond’s skis and the swelling rumble came down to him like the noise of express trains roaring through a hundred tunnels.”
In fact, the same thing happened to Fleming in his 20s in the Austrian Alps.
After being taken out of Eton by his mother for his poor performance, then dropping out of Sandhurst, Fleming was sent to the Villa Tennerhof school in Kitzbuhel, Austria, to finish his education.
Mark said: “Once he deliberately set off down a slope closed because of
HIGH STAKES Popov, inset, and Craig as 007 in Casino Royale and which was frequented by German secret service agents. Mark said: “They ended up gambling against the locals, but Fleming is supposed to have said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if these fellows were German agents and we cleaned them out entirely’.” Fleming betted – and lost – £50, just like Bond loses his initial stake in Casino Royale.
Another time, Fleming saw British double agent Dusko Popov place a bet of $38,000 at the baccarat table on the turn of one card.
Bond did the same with a $115million poker hand against villain Le Chiffre. had a Wilkinson commando fighting knife, which even had his name engraved on it. He wasn’t given them, he went out and bought them so he could feel like a spy.”
SNOW-O7 Lazenby in the movie danger of avalanches, and an avalanche started. He managed to ski away from it but was buried to his shoulders, escaping with a few bruises and a twisted ankle.”
Incidentally, the Schloss Mittersill ski club Fleming used was turned into a racial research centre by the Nazis and was the inspiration behind Blofeld’s own pseudo-scientific centre in the book.
In the same book, M’s old ship is identified as HMS Repulse – a warship Fleming’s boss John Godfrey served on.